Northern Aurora

@cruise101: While you are asking Gold1953 I suspect they are referring to the Elite and Above Captain's Club breakfast, While you don't state (or at least I missed it) which ship you will be on this Captain's Club breakfast is in the Tuscan Grill on S- and M-class ships. For those who are not bacon and egg breakfast folks it is a nice alternative.

We were on the Solstice in June 2022 and also September 2022. My recollection is that the shows were at 7 and 9 PM.

Just to slightly expand on @Gardyloo's comments -- at times through the years some posters have thought that the fact that Princess and Holland own their own lodges at Denali was a positive. But it also means that they are tied to those lodges. From what I have read neither company has modified their cruise tour offerings. They are still pushing cruise tours which include Denali. But now the single road in to Denali National Park was closed in August 2021 at the Pretty Rocks section. So interesting areas such as the Polychrome Overlook, Toklat River rest stop, Stony Hill Overlook and Eielson Visitor's Center are not accessible. The National Park Service announced in January 2023 that they have finalized a contract and hope to have at the road fully open in 2025. My perspective, as someone who lives about a two hour and fifteen minute drive north of the park entrance, is that it really isn't worth to visit until the road can be accessed as far as Eielson Visitor's Center. I would suggest investigating the Wrangell -- St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

We were actually on the Solstice for what would have been a B2B2B2B in March, 2020 when the global suspension of cruising started. What an interesting time at the Sydney in the international air terminal. We did a B2B on the Solstice in June, 2022 and another B2B in September, 2022. The second B2B legs were booked separately so we ended up in three staterooms. In June we were in the same Sky Suite for both legs, and in September were in both a Sky Suite and Celebrity Suite. Our three staterooms were in good condition, but the dated decor was interesting. We clearly had some new soft goods such as mattresses and curtains. Our overall dining experience was very positive.

I've found that Icy Strait Point to be incredible for whale watching and have less success in Juneau. In ISP we once had ninety (yes -- 90) minutes of bubble feeding with total breeches. It was somewhat exhausting just to watch!

This Ward Dock is a serious problem on this itinerary given its distance from Ketchikan and the short time in port. But another possibility for our OP is the Ketchikan Totem Heritage Center. It is easily walkable from downtown. And we are also fans of Annabelle's and try to dine there every time we are in Ketchikan.

There are 12 distinct first people cultures in Alaska. In the SE Alaska cruise ship territory you will find Tlingit and Haida cultures. Sitka has a large Tlingit population. There is a wonderful clan house downtown (which I have visited) but I am not clear if it is open to the general public. There is a visitor's center with information/education displays at the Sitka National Historical Park (referred to as "totem pole park" by the locals). Juneau has displays in the State Museum. Also the Sealaska Heritage Institute has a beautifully curated exhibit (I don't remember the admission price). Their gift shop (no admission) is wonderful and I purchase a pair of earrings every time we visit. I haven't been to Haines recently. Ketchikan has Saxman and Totem Bight. Additionally they have the Totem Heritage Center which displays a collection of old totems inside (which is a great option on a rainy day). The Tongass Museum also had information on the first cultures.

Twice (if my memory is correct) we booked guarantee Suites. Although we don't need accessible staterooms both times we to those who don't require one. Unless there are significant itinerary considerations I also would book the Summit.

Skagway would have been easy as they have the Red Onion Saloon, Skagway Brewing Company and the Klondike Brewing Company all in one little town and blocks away from each other. Sitka has the Harbor Mountain Brewing Company and the Bayview Pub. Icy Strait has the Icy Strait Point Brewing Company located in Hoonah itself. Juneau has the Red Dog Saloon. It has been so long since I have been in Haines someone else will have to respond. In Ketchikan the local dive bar is The Asylum. Annabelle's has seating along their long black bar and a food menu heavy on seafood. We try to dine at Annabelle's each time we are in Ketchikan.

@behappy11: You may have more responses if you list the ports on your itinerary.

We have had a number of overnight port calls through the years and at each one the gangway remained open all night. It will be interesting if someone reports a different experience.

I also remember the Ester Gold Camp. Two Fairbanks-ans talking to each other. The last time we were at the Ester Gold Camp was in late August/early September 2008. That was just after the Winther had announced plans to close it. I really don't understand the business plan of the new owners. The camp was closed for so many years it will take some time of them to re-invent the concept. But I wish the new owners well.

And I, who have been there at least six times, was also unaware that car rentals were available in ISP.

I also enjoy dungeness and don't quite understand the tourist fascination with king crab. And I think that Tracey's Crab Shack in Juneau is over-rated. In Ketchikan we have enjoyed fresh dungeness at the St. George Inlet Lodge. We also have had fresh dungeness at Annabelle's (also in Ketchikan). I remember my husband and I sharing a large stainless steele bucket of dungy at Annabelle's which was their special of the day. Actually we try to go to Annabelle's every time we are in Ketchikan.

Welcome to Cruise Critic. As someone who actually lives in Alaska I am not aware of car rentals in ISP/Hoonah. This is a very small community and, as typical in Alaska, most folks have their own vehicles and know how to drive. The gondola to the top of the hilltop/mountain is lovely. The flat walk from the ISP compound to the community of Hoonah is nice on a good weather day. The displays in the old cannery are interesting but you will not spend 12 hours looking at them. ISP is an excellent port for whale watching. Our OP may want to reconsider and book a whale watching tour there.

My favorite SEATAC hotel is the Cedarbrook Lodge. It is actually a conference center and is so different from a standard airport hotel. Absolutely no airport noise. Beautiful restaurant. Beautiful gardens. Very private.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (if you want to talk like an Alaskan just refer to it as the AVO) doesn't expect any imminent Mt. Edgecumbe eruption despite the series of earthquakes. It has been 4000 years since any major eruption. The AVO does a weekly update on Alaskan volcanos during the evening news on our local PBS station, and, while Pavlov and Cleveland are frequently mentioned, I have never noted any mention of Mt. Edgecumbe. If it ever did erupt you certainly would see it from a cruise ship. The April Fool's Day hoax referenced by @wolfie11 is still talked about in Sitka. Apparently it had the community highly excited.

While I generally drop by the Juneau Artists Gallery the quality of the products can be variable. No crochet potholders but periodically items not much better. The Sealaska Heritage Institute is wonderful. The gift store is a breath of fresh air and I always (and I do mean always) leave with a nice pair of earrings. I don't remember what the admission price is for their cultural displays, but feel it is beautifully curated and worth the admission price.

K: We've done B2B turnaround days in Sydney several times. These were done pre-pandemic and we were actually on the Solstice on what would have been a B2B2B2B series in March, 2020. We flew out of Sydney the day Australian Border Force closed the border. Our turnaround days in Sydney were on the now departed Century and also on the Solstice (several times). We have done legs which were out of Australia to such areas of the South Pacific, Bali and also New Zealand. We never have had to pack out bags, put them out the night before disembarkation with the majority of the disembarking passengers, and then re-board as if it was embarkation day. So when did this exactly happen to you? Inquiring minds want to know. Pray tell.

I periodically sense that some folks, when doing their first B2B, over-think the process. For example, at B2B meetings the question about whether B2B passengers place their luggage out the night when departing passengers do so really surprises me. Why would Celebrity go through the work of removing luggage from the ship, X-raying it again and then move it back onto the ship on what is a very busy day? Folks need to remember that there will be a number of B2B passengers and the ship crew/staff have done this before.

OK -- I have to ask. You have described the situation on TAD in Reykjavik before. We have done two land trips to Iceland and one cruise. Why didn't you just take the little ferry over to Videy Island? The ferry is about a six minute walk from the cruise terminal and the trip over to Videy is less than five minutes. Beautiful walking trails and views across the bay to Reykjavik.

Cabin category is not relevant. EVERY B2B passenger will have a transit pass whether they need it (ie, are staying onboard) or not.

We almost always do at least B2B pairs, and our next series of cruises will be a B2B2B2B. We have never had to ask for a transit pass. The passes are included in the envelope with the succinct instruction letter about the turnaround day process.

The bulk of cruise tours which spend time in Fairbanks include the Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge #8. Our OP hasn't provided a hint regarding their personal interests so I suggest they check the Explore Fairbanks website. A few options include the Museum of the North (located on the University of Fairbanks campus), the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, or Running Reindeer Ranch.

Our preferred vendor is Major Marine. There has always been more than ample space on their vessels to move around to view the sights. And they assign a table so you have "your" space to leave backpacks, jackets and so forth. This assigned table has in the past confused folks who think they are suppose to sit there the entire time of the excursion. That assigned table is simply where you will dine and is the space to use for backpacks and so forth. The folks who own Major Marine purchased the Harbor 360 Hotel which had formerly been branded as a Holiday Inn. If you decide to use Major Marine check their website as they offer specials which include discounted excursions and room packages. During the pandemic they purchased an additional hotel property so now have two hotel options. We prefer the 7.5 hour excursion as it goes to both Holgate and Aialik glaciers.